Load bearing walls are specifically located to hold weight from above and displace it below in a structual manor. Usually a distance of no more than 13 feet between load bearing walls and supports unless engineered to expand this lenght.

If you are putting a temporary wall on both sides of the existing load bearing wall you should be ok with putting them approx 3 or 4 feet out fron either side. This will be temporary and beam should be put in place the same day as existing load bearing wall is removed.

You may want to put some temporary supports on the level below the area where temporary walls will be erected. You can do this with some jackposts and sistered 2x6's (3 pieces nailed together) or by bbuilding more temporary walls.

I hope this helps you with your project.

Regards,

Jay

HomeWorks by Design

Mo in Brampton

2/7/2013 at 6:56:46 PM

We are talking about the basement of 2 storey house. I can build the temporary wall approx 24" away from center without removing the air vents.

This is a tricky topic, in most cases a building permit will be required for such work and it's best to have an engineer do the math and specify what the safe distance to span will be.

Typically the best approach is to also build temporary support walls above this location directly inline with the lower supports to further distribute the overall weight from the roof.

One thing to remember is the load bearing wall sits above supports in the basement i.e.( jack posts, footings, etc.) and the weight is carried to that point, the further you venture from that critical position the more risk you take.

Seek professional advise this is not something the weekend warrior should undertake without proper knowledge!

Good luck and be safe.

Mo in Brampton

2/7/2013 at 8:39:41 PM

I had a few contractors come in this week for a quote and they all gave me a different answer. That is why I posted the question on this forum.

I think I should build a supooritng wall directly above the basement to distribute the weight evenly.

The most accurate and exact answer would be have an engineer complete a site visit to look at all the variables (span of current joist, load above, etc.) Once he reviews the conditions at the site, then he would be able to determine the exact distance for you as there is no "1" correct answer.

A general answer that would be typical based on the information your provided would be the following:

Which direction are the joists running under the temp wall? Is it a concrete slab?

How long are the joists that the wall will be removing?

Generally your temp wall should be no further away than 1/3rd of the total span of the joist, assuming the temp wall is being built on solid structure. (Meaning the load of the temp wall is being built on a concrete slab or running perpendicular to joist system as opposed to on plywood in between two joists.)

Answer: if the temp wall is supporting 10' long joist system, your wall should be no more than 3' from the beam.

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